Frequently Asked Questions

The criteria is the same as for schools, the priority is allocated in the following way: -

1. Looked after and previously looked after children

2. Exceptional social/medical needs

3. Children who will have a sibling attending the same nursery at the time of admission

4. Any other children Where any of the criteria above is over - subscribed, then children are ranked in order according to the straight line distance they live from the nursery with priority given to those who live closest.

We do not have a waiting list. After your child has had their first birthday, application forms can be completed and will be held on file until the January prior to them starting in the September. We publish a closing date each January and all applications received at this point will be considered for the September admission so that the process is fair for all.

Yes! We would recommend that you make an appointment to have a tour of the Centre. The Headteacher will show parents around and answer any questions you might have. Please call the office to make an appointment.

As we are a school run nursery, we work on a term time/academic year basis. Therefore, we admit all children in September for the forthcoming year. This provides consistency for the child and enables them to bond within a peer group.

Yes, we write to all parents by the end of the spring term to let them know if they have been successful or not . If you are unsuccessful, your child’s name will automatically be placed on the waiting list.

No, unfortunately not. The admissions criteria is applied for all children. If a child is known to the Speech and Language service, they might be eligible for a place in the Language Unit, however, these admissions are carried out by a local authority panel, not the Governing Body.

From September 2017, the Government are introducing new entitlement totalling 30 hours for working families (15 hours free entitlement plus 15 hours additional entitlement). This is not available to everyone. Parents need to be working a minimum of 16 hours per week, equivalent to the national living wage up to a maximum of £100,000 per year. In a couple both parents must be working/in a single parent household, the single parent must be working.

If you think you meet the working criteria, you will be required to access a code from the Department of Work and Pensions. We only have a limited number of places that we can offer for the additional entitlement; therefore, you may not be able to access this at our nursery even if you are entitled to do so.

Everyone will be offered their first 15 hours over 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. If you are offered one of our places for the additional entitlement, it will be made clear which session this applies to, either over the 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. This is because families may find they are no longer eligible for the additional hours during the year and therefore, will need to revert back to their 15 hour free entitlement session. We are only able to offer the additional entitlement at the same time as the free sessions, either from 8.45am- 11.45am or 12.30pm – 3.30pm. During 11.45am and 12.30pm parents can opt to take their child home for lunch, or purchase a lunchclub session.

Unfortunately, as with the free entitlement, children have to access all 15 hours of their additional sessions; we cannot offer this flexibly. Therefore parents can choose for their child to attend for 15 hours (free sessions) or a total of 30 hours (free plus additional sessions). If you want one or two additional sessions, we suggest you chose the ‘extended day’ option as these can be purchased flexibly.

Nursery School

We provide high quality nursery education and care for 2 - 5 year olds.

Dorking Nursery School was founded in 1939 and has long been at the heart of family life in Dorking. It has always excelled in Early Years education, with consistently good Ofsted reports. Since September 2008 we have provided nursery provision for children from 2 years old. We are especially proud of our most recent Ofsted reports, which rated both the 2-3s and the 3-5s nurseries as outstanding.

Children's Centre

We host a range of services for families in the Dorking area at our Children's Centre sites in West Street and Goodwyns Road.